The Substitute Is Actually This Prince Himself

The entire city of Chang’an knew that Prince Qi, Huan Xuan had a white moonlight in his heart—the current crown princess. For her, he had been unwilling to marry anyone else and even brought back a commoner woman from the border who resembled her. Everyone thought that the commoner woman was merely an inconsequential substitute, and even Huan Xuan himself believed this. Until one day, the woman suddenly disappeared, leaving behind a sea of flames and a charred corpse. Everyone thought she was dead, but only Huan Xuan did not believe it. A piece of his heart felt as though it had been cut out. He was willing to give everything just to find those eyes that shone like stars and were as gentle as autumn water, to find his Sui Sui. He searched for her frantically, but there was no trace of her. Until two years later, when the three military governors entered the capital and were granted titles, he finally saw her again. She sat high on her horse, calmly looking at him, as if she were looking at a stranger: “Dreams must eventually end.” She was the general of the Great Yong army, commanding two hundred thousand elite troops, and also his prematurely deceased older brother’s betrothed. It turned out that he was the substitute. It turned out that he had never truly possessed those eyes. He gripped the edge of her blade, pressing it against his face, letting the blood flow: “Now there’s no resemblance.”

Original Publisher

Unknown

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on The Substitute Is Actually This Prince Himself "The Substitute Is Actually This Prince Himself" is a historical romance novel that hooked me with its premise: a classic white moonlight substitution trope with a twist. I dove in expecting the satisfying angst of a male lead who messes up big time and has to grovel for forgiveness, and for the most part, it delivered. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn to the strong female lead and the promise of a male lead redemption arc. The early chapters set the stage well, establishing the world and the initial dynamic between the leads. I found myself eager to see how the "crematorium" phase would play out, and whether the male lead would truly earn his way back into the female lead's good graces. ### What Works Well The character dynamics are a major strength. I particularly enjoyed the complexities of the male lead, even when I wanted to throttle him. His flaws and eventual remorse made him a compelling, if infuriating, character. The female lead is equally well-developed, and I appreciated her strength and resilience. The plot kept me engaged, with each chapter leaving me wanting more. I also found myself drawn to some of the side characters, particularly the dandy cousin, who added an interesting layer of intrigue to the story. ### Areas of Concern My main concern stemmed from the pacing and the depth of some of the antagonists. While I loved hating the male lead, I found some of the other villains to be somewhat lacking in complexity. The crown princess, in particular, felt underdeveloped and rather dull. Additionally, while the ending provided closure, it didn't quite deliver the emotional punch I was hoping for. It felt a little rushed, and I would have liked to see a more satisfying resolution to some of the subplots. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, let's talk spoilers! Some readers may struggle with the male lead's initial treatment of the female lead. It's definitely douchebag territory, and if you're not a fan of the "wife chasing crematorium" genre, this might be a deal-breaker. Also, be prepared for some angst and frustration as the male lead realizes the gravity of his mistakes. ### Final Verdict Despite some minor flaws, "The Substitute Is Actually This Prince Himself" is a worthwhile read for fans of historical romance with a strong female lead and a redemption arc. The complex characters, engaging plot, and satisfying (if not perfect) ending kept me hooked from beginning to end. I'm giving it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Just be prepared to hate the male lead for a while before you start rooting for him!